Instead of going straight to pumpkins let’s first review the new Hopzeit Autumn IPA from Deschutes Brewery. According to the Bend, Oregon brewery they were “inspired by a traditional Märzenbier, German hops add herbal, fruit and spice notes to balance the smooth and elegant malt character.”
This new seasonal is half dank and half Marzen. And neither half quite works for me. Too astringent by far with a weird bitter toast taste that veers into almost burnt toast territory. I love the label and the accompany marketing…
…but the beer doesn’t showcase the highlights of both styles. As a test, to make sure, that it wasn’t just a long day of work that had me off-kilter, I also had an Oktoberfest bier and an IPA to see and came away more convinced that the right hop in the right amount wasn’t added to the autumn beer in this case.